THE CROSSOVER
The ConTextos Authors Circle was developed in collaboration with young people at-risk of, victims of, or perpetrators of violence in El Salvador. In 2017 this innovative program expanded into Chicago to create tangible, high quality opportunities that nourish the minds,,expand the voices and share the personal truths of individuals who have long been underserved and underestimated. Through the process of drafting, revising and publishing memoirs, participants develop self-reflection, critical thinking, camaraderie and positive selfprojection to author new life narratives.
Since January 2017 ConTextos has partnered with Cook County Sheriff's Office to implement Authors Circle in Cook County Department of Corrections as part of a vision for reform that recognizes the value of mental health, rehabilitation and reflection. These powerful memoirs complicate the narratives of violence and peace building, and help author a hopeful future for human beings behind walls, their families and our collective communities.
While each author’s text is solely the work of the Author, the image used to create this book’s illustrations have been sourced by various print publications. Authors curate these images and then, using only their hands, manipulate the images through tearing, folding, layering and careful positioning. By applying these collage techniques, Authors transform their written memoirs into illustrated books.
This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number ALN 21.027 awarded to Cook County by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
The Crossover
Gregory “GG” Smith
IalwayswantedtomakemyOGproudofmegrowingup.Icansaythesameformypops aswell,especiallybeingnavigatedback-n-forthbetweenthetwo.Theyjustwantedme tostriveforexcellenceearlyon.
No Matter Your Destination, You Have Arrived
I was raised up to be a good kid. My OG is a school teacher, she has been teaching preK her whole life, which led me to attend pre-K at her place of work.
From The Moment You Walk In
Theywouldnot put mein myOG’sclassfor nothing,butIwasabletoattendthesame school.Asfor mypops,theonegoodjobIdorememberhehadwasdrivingtrucksfor Budweiser.
Growing up, both my parents took real good care of me, especially being the only child until I was like 8, then my lil sister came along.
WhenIwas younger,myOG usedtoask mewhatIwantedtobewhenI grewupandI wouldtellher,“Abasketball player. ” Basketballwasmyfirst passion.Iwantedtobelike Mike.
Michael Jordan was the man in the basketball world and I wanted to be like him. I would tell my OG, like, “Ma, I’m going to buy you a house one day.”
Hooping was my passion, a hobby of mine I did daily. Going through grammar and middle school, I was in the gym every day working on my skills.
FreshmanyearIwasonthebasketballteamplayingformyschool,Uplift
HighSchool,onChicago ’snorthside.
Everythingwasgoodtilthingsstartedtomakeadrasticchange.Mygrades startedslippingandIstartedhangingaroundthewrongcrowd.Istartedsmoking weedatanearlyage.
ThathabitwaswaybeforeIgotintohighschool,I’llsaylike6thgrade,Ifirstexperiencedweed.ThatneveraffectedmegrowingupuntilI reallybeganhooping.
Istartedcomingtobasketballpracticehighoffweed,forgettingthe plays,justbeingsloppy,wasn ’tnoonetoblamebutme.
I was starting to think of that saying, “People, Places, and Things.” I was becoming a product of my environment.
I wentfrom playingbasketball to sellingdrugs. That’s the“people, places, and things ” I statedbefore.
on LEARNING to LIVE
Hangingaroundthefolksintheneighborhood,stay ingoutlate,tonotcominginatall.
My OG and pops always tried to steer me in the right direction, I just didn’t listen.
I caught myfirst case, possession of a controlled substance,then after that it’sbeenlike adomino effect.
Ibasicallydroppedoutofhighschoolbythistime,butlateronIdidreceivemyGED.
I had kids at a young age. I have a 15 year old daughter, and a 20 year old son as of now. For them two, I’m trying to become a better person, a better man, a better father.
I do not want them to go down the same path I went, so it’s imperative I show them better, different from the norm.
I’m showing my kids how to live the right way, righteous.
I understand that applying the motto “ proper preparation prevents poor performance” to your everyday life, you will not lose.
Properlypreparingyourselfwillpreventyoufromanyfailuretoperformpoorly,whichwill allowyoutoperformatyourfullcapacity.
Strive for excellence.
Be heads other than the tail.
Gregory “GG” Smith
I Am From
II am from The Windy City
From Lake Shore Drive to Lawrence Ave
I'm from Uptown
From an environment that is diverse
I am from Ms Jewell’s house
Jack Mackerels with rice, sloppy joes with mashed potatoes
I am from alley basketball on a crate rim to hooping in the gym
From the cubs, the bulls, and the Bears
I'm from the Pole
The north side of Chicago
Until the lion learns to write their own story, tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter - African Proverb
